Club Nights!

Hello blog lovers.

It was a perfect running evening, weather was perfect, no rain, no wind and great company.  I was really, really ready for a run. But my first run I was in the lead.

Group 0

When I am leading group I am focused, making sure that every one is ok with the pace, and doing what they feel comfortable with. And believe me, sometimes that includes me going passed my comfort zone, and not stopping, even on hills!  Yesterday saw the return of Clare and her friend, whose name has gone completely out of my head. Also there was Auriol and Wendy!  A nice group of ladies.

The route was the Birchwood route, the shorter one.  Even though I was in need of a run, I was tired, emotionally tired more than anything, and I thought if I was to manage group 1 then I needed to just take it easy now.  Of course it's still challenging, what with the hill to get up.  And because it is the shorter route I decided to do some warm up exercises first.  It's what is needed in the winter, summertime it's not too bad, the runs are slightly longer and in the woods, which are all ups and downs!

Clare and her friend stayed in the front and Wendi and Ariol were behind me, I was leading from the middle, a perfect place!  There wasn't that much space between the two pairs of ladies, and we were all fairly tight together.  Clare and her friend, although not been running for ages, did really well.  Wendi and Ariol kept up and kept going, taking only the walking or stopping breaks that I had planned.

Wendi brain is still wanting to do tons more than her what she is ready for, but for this run there was no problem.  I was helping her get back to doing park runs, getting around the whole 5k route, but she has already done that!  Not only that, she has 6 months to train to do the Brighton Marathon!  See what I mean about her brain!!  Still, she has a good foundation again now, and I know she will train with self preservation in mind!  

Group 1 

After group 0 I thought that maybe I had run myself out, but when I head that it was our clubs 8th birthday then I just knew I had to find the energy to run with the group.  In fact I had convinced myself that it will do me more good than anything else.

And I did feel good, after saying goodbye to all the group 0 and saying hi to the rest of Petts Wood runners, I did feel my spirits lift a bit.  SingstarJo was leading today, and she is getting over a cold or some sort of virus, so I knew that the pace will be perfect 'Old Girl' style pace!  But it was the whole going down Cardiac Hill that just threw me a bit as I knew we would have to come up again somewhere!

Illustrious Leader was taking the sweepers position, all introductions of newbies done, and then we were on our way.  There were about 15 or so in group 1 today, I nice number of runners, with SingstarJo in the lead we made our way.  The pace turned out to be just perfect for me. Although I was at the back (nothing new then!) I was still well with in the group.  

I started to release some stress, my shoulders started to relax a bit more, I stopped thinking about keeping up with the group, I stopped thinking about whether I will be too far behind and just emptied my mind.  The trouble with me though, is my mind wont stay empty.  I began to think about all that had happened yesterday, which then brought about other sad and painful memories.  Memories that will never leave me, but ones that I can usually think about in the privacy of my own home!

Things that happened way back in 2007 had bought me to that very point, running along the road, keeping fit.  Hard work, always battling to stay fit! Why? Was the question that ran through my mind, Why, when things can happen anyway!  Even to the most fittest of people.  I just stopped running, and sobbed, just for a few short seconds!  But the stress of the day needed to come out, I just didn't expect it to come out just like that though!

Illustrious Leader noticed that I was a little way back and did a quick loop back for me, we caught up with the others who were having a catchup break.  I said to I.L. that I would probably take the shorter route back to the rec, just in case those tears stopped me in my tracks again!  As it happened one of the newbies wanted to do the shorter route as well and the three of us, me the newbie and I.L. ran with the pack until we got to the end of Beaumont road and then we made our way back to the rec from there.

It was a good run, and a good pace for me, and I still believe it done me more good than anything else.

Geeky stats.

Just A Bit Late!

Hello blog lovers.

On Friday I had time for another little jog about with Michelle C.  I was planning on about 7k, but I wasn't going to tell Bims if she turned up, I was just going to do it.  But Bims actually forgot and was still in bed, the other Michelle couldn't make it either, so it was just going to be me and Michelle C.

But when Michelle C told me that she had injured a toe, kicked a bed or wall or door, and her toe was bruised and very sore, I said that we wouldn't do 7k, and just do a nice route through the woods with plenty of ways to cut it short if she was feeling too painful!  Michelle is now your typical runner.  She hurt herself just before coming out, but she had it in her mind to go running, and running she most certainly was going to do!

What could I say to her!? So I chose the route that we did on the Thursday, there are plenty of  paths that can cut the run short and get back to the rec.  There was no talking her out of it, "It hurts, but it will hurt even if I don't run" she said "What more damage can I do to it" was her reasoning!

So we began our run, just the two of us, and it was a rather lovely day as well.  Perfect for running, not to cold, we just went in through dog poo ally and then took the path to the right of the main path in the middle of the woods.  I managed to run up the entire hill on this time round!  It's funny how things work out!  One day a not so good run and then the next day a good run.  I felt a lot better that I did the day before, I guess the geeky stats will tell if it was any quicker.

Bims finally called me when we got to Botany Bay Lane, she said that she had just woken up and realised that she had forgotten she was coming running!  It's her age, you know.  The grey matter is just not 'sticky' any more, nothing gets retained in there too long these days!

Anyway, it was a great run, and we did the whole of the route that we did the day before, no shortcut needed, and both Michelle and I enjoyed it immensely, although I think her toe would be complaining (if it could talk!)

P.s. it's a short blog because my grey matter don't retain much these days either!

Geeky stats!

Some Days Good, Some Days.......

Hello Blog lovers.

This morning was just perfect running conditions! First of, kids all in school! Second the weather was just perfect, and thirdly I had running buddies!  I was feeling totally up for it, in my mind, my body was complaining a little.  Just a few aches and pain, not running related, just achy, tired type of thing, and sniffles, just slightly, but there, letting me know that 'actually Old Girl, you're harbouring a virus, so take care' type of aches.  Of course, being a runner, I totally ignore that and tell myself a run is what I need.

Just love the Thursday sessions with the gang, because we can run through the woods.  Everybody knows that being out in the fresh air is just what the doctors order!  In the group today is Dawn, Denise and her daughter Kirsty and Michelle.S, a lovely bunch of ladies to be spending an hour with!  DiscoRich has his bevy of lovely lasses that he will be taking for a 5 miler somewhere.

We took a bit of a mystery tour (although I didn't plan it that way in my mind) I kind of knew the way I was heading, it's just that are so many little paths and big paths in the woods, I occasionally get it wrong.  But quite frankly, I'm not too bad for an old Townie, I used to be able to jump on the tubes in London and get around as quick as anything!  In the woods there are no names on the paths, and they all fairly similar!  It's just as well its not a huge woods really! But I am sure if I look as if I know where I am going  the gang wont lose their confidence in my leading!

I did the first bit just fine, all up hill, and when I say fine, I mean I didn't take the wrong path.  My stamina on the other hand seems to be left somewhere.  My legs, ache, my bones ache! But I kept going.  I don't really have any other symptoms of a cold, slight sniffles but that could be because I was slightly cold just waiting to start running.

I took a 10 second walk as I sent the others on, I can lead from the back! And I know these ladies, they wont go down any path until they have checked back with me.  We got to the right spot that I wanted to get to with no problem, and that's just at the vehicle access gate on Chislehurst Road, we then turned left to run towards the top of the woods.

Because I have never run this way I wasn't sure how many left hand paths we had passed.  I knew which path I wanted if we came up by the rail lines, but it's good to change things about.  I underestimated how many!  I should have gone on for one more.  But it is still a path that I have ran on before and it still bought us to the sundial, where I wanted to be!

From here I knew exactly which path to take.  But just to be a bit different I lead them on to the path that take us past the pond, on the boardwalk, just for a bit of fun!  It is a bit smelly going past there, but in the summer I do like coming this way just to look at the dragon flys that seem to love hanging around this part!

It was a great run, the ladies were all running really well indeed, in fact they all seemed to be running tons better than I did.  But in the true spirit of Petts Wood runners, we all just supported each other, waited patiently, encouraged and quite frankly just had a great time!  I love my club, we do have some fabulous people!

There was one thing about my run today and that was that I decided that maybe doing two runs today was probably not a good idea, so track session will be for next week!  And.......an extra run during the day tomorrow will be enough for this week!

Geeky stats for you all.

Tuesdays Club Night!

Hello blog lovers

Group 0

I didn't know how many would be turning up today, I knew a couple of people wouldn't be, but I also knew a couple of the Saturday beginners group will be coming along.  So I had to be there.  At least the rain had stopped and the wind had died down, Hurricane Gonzalo is still reeking havoc over the planet, and tonight it was Britain's turn.

As it happened, just Vanessa and Georgina came along, they are on the Saturday beginners group, and they wanted to come along for group 0.  It' was still windy and it was getting a tad bit chilly too.  The route I had in mind today was the undulations of Hazelmere, Great Thrift and Woodland Way and the through the high street before coming back down again.  It's a great route, those little hills to set you a challenge, whether your a beginner or coming back from injury, with the nice flat bit of the high street, nice and bright and well lit.  

I had remembered to bring my little torch, just to light up the bits of pavement that were a dark, where the tree roots started to appear and crack the tarmac.  The two ladies today, well, you wouldn't be able t tell they were beginners the way they were running up Great Thrift!  Chatting away, not even sounding out of breath.  But then Vanessa is quite a sporty sort of person anyway, tennis, cycling and mountain climbing, and her daughter, well, she's young!  

We took a walking break when we got to the memorial, we didn't stop to catch our breath, we just walked for a bit until we got to the bridge and then started running again.  They seemed to be taking this run in their stride!  I think after they have finished the beginners group they will fit quite comfortable into group 1 and maybe even quickly entering the ranks of group 2 before to long!

A great run this evening, a tiny bid windy, but at least it was nice not running in the rain!  Here's the geeky stats for group 0

Group 1

No Illustrious Leader, no SingstarJo, and no watch to keep an eye on ZippySherry (new nick name for our Sherry!) who was taking out group 1.  Although ZippySherry has a Garmin, she also has this easy style of running about her.  When she is talking to anybody some how her legs just go into over drive, and before you know it we are all zipping along at a faster than usual pace.  Maybe this is just what I need.  I can't remember the last time I ran without my Geeky stats recorder!  I felt quite naked actually!  I think this run could be good for me!

I was running at the back with JJ, it just goes to show how this running bug effects our brain cells, as JJ has a bit of a cold, yet she still came out for a run.  I remember in the 'old days' if I so much as sneezed through moving dust I would have laid up flat for two weeks to recuperate!  Yet just like JJ, if the bug is all above the neck then there is no reason to be sat in doors!  What a weird bunch of people we are!

For those of you who read Saturdays beginners blog, I told you about the hill we took the group up.  And that some of them looked panic stricken.  Well today ZippySherry thought that all in group 1 could do with running up there, at group 1 speed of course, well, group 1 warming up speed!  

It wasn't till we got to the top and turned left out of Kingsway, that I started to think about the route she would be taking.  ZS mentioned Southborough Lane, now Southborough Lane from here is one of two ways,Birchwood, down to Crossways again and then run up Petts Wood Road to the mememorial or, and I feared it would be the case, Birchwood, Hazlemere, Great Thrift and Woodland Way!  I was right to be fearful!  "Oh no, why did I chose this route for group 0 this evening"  I think that maybe I should liase with group 1 leaders before I plan group 0's route!

It's going to be a challenge again for me.  Tired legs, plus I did get a bit chilled before we started group 1, so my muscles were complaining a little.  I did have a couple of walks up the hill, but only because I was sweeper and I didn't want to let the girl be the last one behind (that's my excuse and I am sticking to it).  We eventually had a first break at the top of the hills, not quite to the memorial hall, but at Towncourt, the other side!  It was tough, enjoyable, but tough.

From here were were going to go over the bridge and then down Southborough and turn left at to Oxhawth until Crescent Drive.  There was going to be a next catch up.  Those with the fast legs will be able to run around the triangular bit of green, those that wanted to stop altogether can do so just there while they waited for any (meaning me!) last runners to catch up.

It was while we were there that ZippySherry said some about running UP Lakeswood.  "I thought we would be going down Shepperton" I said to her, I am sure I did here her mention that.  But then she said that she was not quite sure of those roads, I quickly jumped in and said "I do"  I think maybe I must have looked a bit desperate! I just didn't fancy running up any more inclines this evening!  "Ok" said ZS "You take the lead"  Me? Lead Group 1? Of course I said ok!  Gulp.  But it was done at my pace, I was planning on handing back the reins to Sherry when we got to Tudor Way.

Once Sherry took back the lead I settle back into sweeper mode!  Very pleased that I didn't have to do any more inclines!

A great run though, and I think it was good running without a watch!  I must try it again some time!  And try not to get so hooked on my Garmin!  They are great tools, and I love seeing those calories eaten up by my running, but it was good to doing some 'free' running :-)

Who Don't Like Mondays?

Hello blog lovers.

The morning started off early with the alarm going at 6:30, I usually can fall asleep again after the Old Boy has gone down stairs for his morning coffee, but this morning I just couldn't.  So I got up had my shower and then it was time for my grandson to turn up, so definitely no time for resting!

I thought this mornings run was going to be a good one with the girls.  The sun was shining and it was a lovely warm morning for October, I was looking forward to this run, I was hoping it would shake out the cobwebs.  When I got to Tracy's Wendi was already there, and she looked like she needed a run for completely different reasons that I did.

We started our 2 minutes of power walking up the hill, Tracy had said that she had been to Pilates and had run twice during the week, which was good, Wendi had a pretty horrible week and no running.  She was her usual chatty self, I just love listening to her, especially during the jogging bits, it just keeps your mind focused to what is needed to done.  She also had her Garmin set at walk/run instead of   run/walk, don't worry if that sounds weired, I am sure Wendi will be smiling when she reads that bit, so no both of us will be totally synced together!

The first of the 6 mins jog started and it started well, but Tracy was struggling a little.  Aching muscles, complaining like they have done 10k already, but she kept going and was pleased when the next 2 mins walk session came along.  Wendi was just in the zone, her much needed run and time out was doing her good.  We kept the patten going all the way to Bickly Manor, but we didn't get to the very first bench mark the we made on that first day.

Sometimes a run just doesn't want to be run.  You really do need to push yourself harder to get going.  Your muscles complain, you feel like those jogging moments will never end, and with someone who cares about you telling you "Come on that's it, keep going"  then all you want to do is tell them to shut the heck up because "I am moving Old Girl"

Today was a tough run for Tracy, but she did it, she didn't stop on those jogging sections, she kept going, with the look of determination that will make the Terminator be proud, either that of she really did want to wallop me!  Wendi had a great run too, she definitely enjoyed her run, even doing some loop backs.  she is looking forward to coming along to group 0, maybe next week, see how she does on the 8 minutes of jogging.

Geeky stats.



That wasn't then end of my jogging today, because of the Old Boys car, just like on Friday I am doing an extra run.  His car failed the MOT so it was back in the garage this morning to have all the repairs done so that it can get the certificate.  Well the work was completed, they called me so I, like the good girl that I am, ran along and picked it up!

It's only just over a mile a way, so I though I would be able to run the whole way.  And just like Tracy this morning, it just wasn't there.  I tried to slow my pace down, think about my breathing, but I struggled to keep going. I got there, of course, but with the run/walk method that I know and love, even for just this tiny little run.  We all have off days, it just so happens ours happened on a Monday!

My next solo run I shall concentrate just that little bit more!

Geeky stats.

Saturday Beginners!

Hello blog lovers

It's a bit late in coming, but it's finally here. Yesterday the Autumn beginners were going out on to the road for the first time!  Not only that but there is a particular steep hill, well it's steep if you have never run up hill before.

Sherry and Hels were taking the session today, heading out just on the roads near the rec.  There were four leaders so we can spread our selves between all the runners, it looked as if there were over 30 yesterday.  A brilliant number of runners still in the programme.  The session today was 8 minutes jogging and 2 mins walking.  And the first of the 8 minutes was going up hill!

After the warm up power walk and the drills, we jogged around the rec to see how the groups would be.  I (thankfully as I was still aching from my running sessions this week) was assigned the sweeper! My usual place of which I a proud of.  We started out for our first 'on the roads' jog, coming out of the main entrance to the rec and crossing over the road to run up Wood Rise.  No easing into these hills, we are heading straight for the beastly incline.

I was at the back keeping an eye on everyone, Hels was leading with Sherry and Della encouraging all those in the middle.  Just three reps of the 8/2 jog/walk, maybe get two laps of this little loop before times up.

Tracey looked totally worried, not only about running for 8 minutes but about the incline that seemed to be like a mountain rising before us.  "I don't think I will be able to do it" she said. "You can do it, just take it nice and easy, keep your breathing under control and use your arms to propel you up there as well" I said.  I am not sure how much of that she heard as she looked determinedly at the hill.  The worried look on her face as she ran up the hill was unwarranted!  She did it!  No stopping at all, the two minutes of walking, however, was very much welcomed by her.  But I am sure I saw a faint smile around her lips when we started that first 2 minutes of walking!

The second of the 8 minutes jog started up, and we were just coming into Crossways, and when she saw that the group were heading back up Wood Rise there was almost panic on her face.  I totally reassured her that she could do it, just to take it easy and if she did need to walk that that was fine.  She said "I really don't think I will be able to run all the way this time" She was most convinced of that, but I stayed with her, chatting, keeping her thoughts positive, and then the second of the 8 minutes started.

Her face was a picture, the sheer determination of her face to at least run as much of this second 8 minutes of jogging was such a delight to see.  Because that is all you need, the 'determination', the 'will'.  We know that she can run, because she has already done it!  It's that 'I will' that will get you through.

There was another runner that was having problems with her calf and she was stretching out.  I said to Tracey to keep going I shall be right behind her, and she kept on going.  The other lady started to walk for a bit until the she felt able to carry on jogging.  And then she kept on and on and got back into the swing of things.  We caught up to Tracey and I stayed at the back to encourage them.  The third of the 8 minutes started, and Tracey said "I can't do that hill again" I reassured her that there wasn't any need as we could finish off in the park as that will be time up by then anyway.

As it happened our time finished just as we got to the gate anyway.  Some of the other front runners came down from Wood Rise to go into the park.  The looked really pleased with them selves, and I don't blame them, they all did really well!  The very front runners, well, I think Hels and the others were doing one more lap of the hill!

A fabulous session with the beginners today, and Tracey looked totally pleased with herself!  After thinking that she wouldn't even be able to run 8 minutes around the park, she was able to run 8 minutes three times, and twice up hill!

I love seeing people achieve things they thought they couldn't do!  Love it, really love it!

Geeky stats!  Oh, and ignore the really fast bit from the rec down to Tudor Lane, I didn't suddenly turn into superwoman, I forget to switch of my Garmin and I was in my car!

Petts Wood Runners Do It Again!

Hello blog lovers.

Waking up with sun still just peeking out from the cover of night on a Sunday morning and I was getting out of my bed.  Unheard of for me, unless there is an aeroplane I need to be on.  What made it even harder was watching my hubby snuggle into my spot of my nice warm bed.

I reluctantly entered the bathroom and turned on the shower,  I was not looking forward to how the water was going to feel on my body.  What I wanted, was to be snuggled up in bed, in my spot, with the duvet up to my chin!  But then I started to think about why I was up a such an early time, (well for me anyway) on that Sunday morning.  It looked like it was going to be a fab day, at least there was no rain. It's was the day of our Petts Wood Runners 10k event.

I began to feel more awake after my shower, I dressed and went down for a cuppa.  It was too early for me to eat breakfast, I had planned to grab something at the rec when everything was set up!  I knew that Higgs the butchers were going to be there, with their BBQ and bacon!  Yes, when I could smell the bacon I would leave what ever post I was on to grab my breakfast!

After my tea I went out to the back garden to get my transport!  Now I could lie and say that it's the 'green' thing to do.  Our event is about how green we can be, with mainly paper cups, no posting of race booklets to all those who had paid their entrance fee, collection of race numbers and timing chips on the day at the registration tent!  But I won't lie, and no, it's not because I am super duper fitness crazy either.....it's because for the first time this year, Petts Wood Runners will be having a beer tent, hosted by One Inn The Wood, a new micro pub In Petts Wood.

I arrived at the rec and already there were PWR's all over the place, there were men with vans, trailers and cars, all busy unloading their cargo into the middle of the field.  Already the Start/Finish arch was up, taking pride of place on the field.  Every marque had its place.  St John Ambulance, baggage, registration, kids registration, St Christopers/Harris Hospice, Petts Wood Practise had a marque for post race massages.  And just to the right of those was the BBQ!  It was being set up!  I would be keeping a keen eye on that particular marque!

I found my team leader and waited for her to allocated jobs for me.  SingstarJo was my team leader, and our role today was the 'Race Makers', so much better label for us than 'race operatives',  or 'general use people'.  We had import roles to do, direct people to the right place, place and keep an eye on all bins in the rec,  being mindful of our green ethics, we had bins for paper, plastic and other!  We have thought of everything here.

We were also going to be used at the end for handing out the medals, bananas and water, plus clearing up after. I just love doing this, I was really excited.  I was given my first job of the day, and that was to place the bin bags (with paper/plastic/other labels) on to poles in strategic places.  Second job and was to stand at the gate at Towncourt Crescent to direct the runners towards the registration tent and to answer any questions that may have.

Towncourt Crescent entrance

After a while one of the other marshals brought me a cuppa, it was just what I needed!  I could also smell the bacon cooking, I think that was the next job for me!

Although the race began at 10:30 people were starting arriving from about 9:00 to collect their number, which also had their timing chip incorporated into it.  I remember last year the marshals were on the knees, in the mud with the rain pouring down, taking off the timing chips from the runners ankles! I think we learnt a lot about last years run, and how to cope if it rains on our Race Day!

It was soon time to get the marshals to the marshaling points, which meant that my time at the gate was up as the designated marshal for that position was there, ready to direct the runners to turn right as they came out of the gate. My next job, well that was obvious, bacon roll!  I was ready for my breakfast. All the marshals were given a little voucher to claim a free bacon roll!  Boy did I really enjoy that!

After queueing for my bacon roll, the warm up session had begun.  Adele was on the podium leading all the runners in a warm up, along with Woody and Woodina, our Petts Wood mascots, who with out fail has turned up every year since PWR began, of course this is Woodinas first time here with us!  I stood for a little while just watching them while eating my bacon sandwich, I decided not to join in, health and saftey and all that, I didn't want to choke on my roll!

I then received a call from Sue Radford, she was going to be one of our photographers, she did the photography at the 'Spirit of Running Man' event that I organised earlier in the year, and she has kindly said that she would do some photos of our event.  I met up with her, and she was amazed at all the organisation happening in the rec.  First things first was to get her a bacon roll.  Then I walked her to the 7km mark which was just inside the woods, through Dog Poo ally!

The Dirty Perks, will be performing an acoustic set there, to serenade the runners as they run through the woods.  I believe last year we had the 'Blues Brothers' playing!  Isn't it the most quirkiest of runs ever!  I think I have only ever been on one run when there was a band playing on route and that was the Santa Dash last year, but that was only about a mile from start to finish!

Serenading in the woods

By the time I had left Sue in the woods the race was under way!  It' was time to get into my next position.  The medals, bananans and water.  SingstarJo's team were in full swing as we bagan filling up the water cups and placing them the table ready for the runners to come back.  Our course record for the chaps is under 35 minutes, and the ladies make it 41 minutes!  Incredible speed, as it really is a multi-terrain course with some lovely 'undulations'!

Just leaving the field!

In the meantime the kids races got underway!  As soon as the last of the adults left the rec the Emma was calling for all the kids to get ready for their race.  A smooth as clockwork.  There were over a hundred kids! compared to last year when we had only a handful!  Fortunately somebody had given Emma another 20 or so kids 'Chocolate' Medals as me and David, our race Director only picked up 100!

Look at them go!

Just then there was an announcement, "The One Inn The Wood is now open" For the first time, PWR's have a beer tent, and dead on 11 it was open for business,

but no time for us yet as we were busy filling up cups. When there were quite a few water cups filled, some of us then went on to get ready with the medals.  Arms full with the medals, all chinkling and clanging on our arms, the kids also joined in with 'arming' themselves with the medals to hand out to the speedy, weary, happy runners that will be coming over the line, all 680 or so of them!

Hels with arm full of medals!

By the time the first runner was in place the band was back and playing some great tunes, I was rocking out to 'Sweet Child Of Mine'  brilliant stuff.  With kids all lined up hands eagerly stretching out to be the first one to hand out their batch of medals it was just a perfect sight!  The band playing, the noise from the medals.

The Dirty Perks!

At first just one runner, the winner, .............. came in, shortly followed by the second runner.............. and then a steady flow of 1 or 2 runners at a time came in.  Then there were more runners in a batch, each trying to get that little bit more speed as they saw their race opponents reaching the finishing line.  The kids now all very excited and were creeping ever so slowly to the finishing line, so my next job was to keep the kids and adults in line!  It's so easy to to take one step closer to hand out the medal but then forget to step back, and then to step forward again.  It's just all to exciting!

The steady flow of people came in for the next 45 - 60 minutes.  We waiting for the last runner marshals to show, making sure that no one was left behind in the woods.  With just a few miner cuts from brambles in the woods I don't think the St Johns Ambulance was need to do to much again this year!  Just a brilliant day, and it was over, there were the trophies to hand out, the band were continuing to play on, the beer tent was open, the bacon was cooking, tea was brewing and cakes being sold and eaten! And all on a perfectly dry running day for the Best 10k in the country for October as voted for by the readers and on line supports of Runners World!

Here are some links to videos of this years race!  The first is from our own Physio Mike, always manages to produce epic videous, the other one is from a youtube user.  And as soon as I know how to up add the other video with a twist then I shall add it on after!

http://youtu.be/JDGDNK7XTWo

http://youtu.be/yD5qp-DqkFU



Some more pictures of the day!

Our last runner marshals

Sarah and her customers, OITW

Rocking out to Dirty Perks.

We gave £4,000 pounds to them this year!

A much needed massage!

Keeping the kids happy!

Wood and Woodina! 

David our Race Director (and me, with my much appreciated beer)

It's just fabulous crossing that finishing line!

I for one can't wait for next years race.  What can we come up with for next year!

photos from Mike Reeves video and one from Clare Fisher